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Microwave-induced in situ amorphization as a strategy for modulating drug release from silicone elastomer devices for controlled release drug delivery

School of Pharmacy | PHD
Funding
Unfunded
Reference Number
PMY/2251/MZKM
Application Deadline
None specified
Start Date
None specified

Overview

This is an exemplar PhD project co-supervised by Dr. Min Zhao and Prof. Karl Malcolm. No funding has yet been secured for the project. We particularly welcome applications from students (including international students) who are willing and able to self-fund their PhD, UK/EU applicants for DfE studentship application, and Chinese applicants with a Master's degree for the China Scholarship Council (CSC)–QUB co-founded PhD studentship (to be launched in Jan/Feb 2024).

Amorphous solid dispersions have been used to improve the solubility and bioavailability of poorly soluble drugs by molecularly dispersing them in inert carriers. However, despite efforts to further develop such systems, amorphous drugs are prone to recrystallization during manufacture, storage and/or following administration due to their high internal energy. Recently, microwave-induced in situ amorphization has emerged as a new strategy to address the instability of amorphous solid dispersions. This approach produces the amorphous form of the drug by microwave irradiation of the dosage form a short time before administration.

Silicone elastomers are used in the manufacture of drug delivery devices for sustained or controlled release. Typically, drug substances are incorporated into the silicone elastomers in the crystalline state, and drug release is dependent upon the extent of solubility of the crystalline drug in the silicone elastomer and subsequent molecular diffusion through the matrix. Developing new strategies to enhance drug release from such silicone elastomer devices would be useful.

In this project, we will assess the strategy of microwave-induced in situ amorphization of drug-loaded silicone elastomer drug delivery devices. We anticipate having to include microwave absorbing excipients into the drug delivery devices (such as water, graphite, carbon-black, metal nanoparticles, ceramics, minerals, other dialectic materials) in order to induce the phase change.

Applicants should have a 1st or 2.1 honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject. Relevant subjects include Pharmacy, Pharmaceutical Sciences, Biochemistry, Biological/Biomedical Sciences, Chemistry, Engineering, or a closely related discipline. Students who have a 2.2 honours degree and a Master’s degree may also be considered, but the School reserves the right to shortlist for interview only those applicants who have demonstrated high academic attainment to date.

The project will provide extensive training and skills development for the student in the following topics: drug formulation methods; drug quantification using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC); in vitro drug release testing; use of thermal analysis methods; rheological and mechanical testing methods; planning and organising skills: designing and planning of experiments; numeracy and statistical skills; teamwork skills: working confidently as part of a large research team. The student will receive additional support from senior researchers working in the research groups of Zhao & Malcolm.

The project is well positioned to impact next generation drug delivery devices offering controlled release of drugs over months/years. The successful applicant will have opportunities to present their research at national and international conferences. The work will be of interest to pharmaceutical companies and silicone elastomer suppliers.

Project Summary
Supervisor

Dr Min Zhao and Prof Karl Malcolm

m.zhao@qub.ac.uk

Research Profile


Mode of Study

Full-time: 3 years


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